Bay Area Homebuyer Due Diligence Checklist

Buying a home in the Bay Area comes with its own set of challenges, and the disclosure packet can feel overwhelming especially with all the local rules in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland. That’s exactly why I put together this Due Diligence Checklist: a simple, practical tool to help you spot red flags, confirm compliance, and ask the right follow-up questions as you review disclosures.

It’s confusing for anyone, sometimes it feels like another language. I get it. My goal is to make sure you can move forward with confidence and avoid any surprises down the road.

Check out this guide that you can use for your next property review.

But please, leverage your resources and ask the questions, that’s what we’re here for :)

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned investor, I’m here to help you every step of the way.​

Mistakes to Avoid When Listing Your Home in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland.

Selling your home in the vibrant Bay Area markets of San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland requires smart strategy tailored to each city's unique dynamics. Avoid these common pitfalls to maximize your home’s appeal and sale price:

San Francisco

• Overpricing in a competitive market where pricing finely impacts buyer interest.

• Neglecting the importance of staging to highlight limited urban living spaces.

• Ignoring proximity to tech hubs and transit — emphasize convenience in your listing.

Berkeley

• Underestimating the value of good school districts to family buyers.

• Failing to showcase outdoor living spaces and neighborhood charm.

• Skipping repairs or updates that could sway discerning buyers seeking move-in-ready homes.

Oakland

• Overlooking neighborhood safety and community features that families prioritize.

• Listing without professional photos that capture diverse architecture and vibrant culture.

• Not preparing for a fast-paced market; be ready for quick showings and responses.

By customizing your selling approach to each city’s buyer expectations, you enhance your chances for a smooth, successful sale. Avoid these mistakes, and position your home as the standout choice in the Bay Area market.

For personalized selling strategies in San Francisco, Berkeley, or Oakland, reach out today and let me help you navigate this nuanced process to get maximum outcomes.

First time homebuyer advice for San Francisco Tech Professionals and Families.

Purchasing your first home in San Francisco is an exciting and rewarding experience, especially for tech professionals and families seeking stability in this dynamic city. I remember when I purchased my first home in the city, I never thought it would be possible, but I did it! And it feels like it was just yesterday. 

Understanding the Local Market

San Francisco's diverse neighborhoods each have their unique vibe, amenities, and price ranges. Consider factors such as commute times to tech hubs, nearby schools, parks, and community resources that best fit your family's lifestyle and work needs.

Financial Readiness

• Obtain mortgage pre-approval to understand your budget clearly.

• Prepare savings for down payment and closing costs; in San Francisco, this often ranges from 15-25%.

• Explore first-time homebuyer programs and incentives available for tech employees and families in the city.

Finding the Right Home

Prioritize homes that match your family's space requirements, proximity to schools, and access to public transit or highways. Pay attention to future neighborhood developments that might impact property values positively.

Working with a Local Expert

A real estate agent with deep knowledge of San Francisco's market can guide you through listings, negotiations, and inspections, offering critical insights and personalized support tailored to tech professionals and families.

Making Competitive Offers

San Francisco's housing market moves quickly. Work with your agent to construct competitive offers that reflect market realities and protect your interests.

Inspection and Closing Process

Schedule a comprehensive home inspection to uncover any potential issues. Collaborate closely with your agent and lender to ensure all paperwork and contingencies are handled smoothly before closing.

I created a takeaway, downloadable guide which offers straightforward advice from my own experience owning a home in San Francisco, and also tailored based on the latest market trends and data to help you navigate San Francisco's competitive real estate market with confidence and clarity.

Download your free Guide Here.

Buying your first home in San Francisco as a tech professional or family is a significant step. With thoughtful preparation and expert guidance, you can confidently find a home that fits both your personal and professional life in this vibrant city.

First time homebuyer advice for Oakland and Berkeley.

Buying your first home is a thrilling adventure, especially in vibrant communities like Oakland and Berkeley. These cities offer a rich mix of neighborhoods perfect for families, but navigating the competitive Bay Area market can feel overwhelming. As a Bay area native, and a Oakland homeowner myself, I can attest to the journey with all it’s ups and downs. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare can make all the difference in securing a home that fits your family’s needs and future goals.

From understanding local neighborhoods, getting financially prepared, to making a strong offer, every step is important. Choosing the right home means thinking beyond the present to ensure it supports your family’s lifestyle down the road. Partnering with a knowledgeable local agent who is local, someone who understands the nuances of Oakland and Berkeley can ease the process and empower you to make confident decisions.

To help you get started, a simple, expert guide is now available with essential first-time buyer tips tailored specifically for families looking in Oakland and Berkeley.

It walks you through market research, financial preparation, working with agents, and closing smoothly.

Ready to take the next step? Download your free copy of “First-Time Buyer Advice for Oakland & Berkeley Families” now and turn your dream of homeownership into reality.

Download the Guide Here

Empower your journey with knowledge and expert guidance because your family deserves the best start in your new home.

What is the Oakland housing market like right now?

An old coworker texted me yesterday: "Oakland prices are down 8%, but should I still wait for rates to drop?"

Here's what I told them. The opportunity cost of waiting is 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸.

Oakland's market isn't down, it's 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁. Each neighborhood is playing by 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 right now. And that creates a window 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Sept 2025 reality:

→ Piedmont: $2.5M–$3M | 12 days | Bidding wars

→ Oakland Hills: $1.2M–$1.5M | 28 days | Softening at edges

→ Lower Hills: ~$950K | 22 days | Market balancing out

→ Lake to Dowtown: $700K | 60+ days | Most negotiating room since 2019

If you're waiting for rates to drop from 6% to 5%, you're betting on uncertain timing, flat prices, and low competition. 

That's a lot of IFs.

Meanwhile in slower pockets RIGHT NOW:

→ Lower sale prices (less competition)

→ Fewer bidding wars

→ Actual negotiating power

Critical: Oakland historically lists below to create bidding wars. As an Oakland resident, I know this playbook well.

A 5% price reduction TODAY beats waiting 18 months for a 1-2% rate drop and the feeding frenzy.

You can refinance rates. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻'𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲.

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 before buying?

What is happening in the San Francisco housing market?

𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗤𝟰 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝟵𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗙 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲. 

If you're planning to buy or sell in the next 6-12 months, this data can help you time your move. The market data shows clear signals and understanding these metrics now will give you an advantage.

Here's what the 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 data is telling us:

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 = 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆

Single-family home sale price: -1.38% YoY

Condo sale price: +0.74% YoY

➡️ SF has traditionally been a fairly volatile market. But the volatility was muted. This is a relatively strange phenomenon, as YoY swings of 2- 3%+ have become quite normal. Forecast with more confidence now.

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝟮 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀

Single-family: 17.5% fewer homes available

➡️ Selling in ~15 days (faster velocity than your Q4 deals)

➡️ High-intent buyers, limited inventory = premium execution required

Condos: 22.7% fewer units, but 50-day sales cycle

➡️ 6% longer than last year = opportunity to negotiate your leverage 

➡️ More discovery time, room to find the "right" one

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗧𝗠 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆:

𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲-𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲? Treat it like closing a 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 enterprise deal. Be pre-qualified, decisive, and ready to move when the right opportunity surfaces. This is a seller's market with compressed timelines.

𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼? You have negotiation 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲. Longer sales cycles mean time for thorough diligence, contingency management, and term optimization. Use it.

𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿? You're operating from strength, but your positioning strategy must 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 type. Single-family = speed and premium pricing. Condos = strategic staging and value demonstration.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲:The timing and execution of your next move will directly determine what you 𝗽𝗮𝘆, what you 𝗻𝗲𝘁, and whether you secure the property you want.

Just like hitting your Q4 number strategy, timing, and flawless execution are everything.

Your Home Should Work FOR Your Life, Not Against It

You've mastered the art of the juggle.

Work calls during carpool. Emails between bedtime stories. Building a career while building a family.

But here's what most people don't talk about: your home plays a bigger role in that balance than you think.

The commute that eats your mornings. The lack of a real workspace. The layout that wasn't designed for how you actually live.

These aren't small inconveniences. They're daily friction points that make everything harder.

I created this guide because I live this too. As a former corporate professional turned realtor and mom, I understand what it's like to try to make everything fit—and realize that sometimes, the space you're in just isn't built for the life you're living.

Inside this free guide, you'll get:

• How to identify what you actually need in your daily life (vs. what you think you need)

• The connection between your schedule and your space—and why both need boundaries

• How to design your life around what matters most, not what you think "should" matter

• Questions to ask yourself before making any major life or home decision

Whether you're thinking about a move or just trying to make your current situation work better, this guide will help you get clear on what "balance" really means for you.

Access it here.

Fun things to do in SF and East Bay with the family this Fall.

San Francisco

Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch & Mini Hay Maze

Clancy’s opened San Francisco’s first Pumpkin Patch in 1979, and now has two pumpkin patches in The City. You’ll find a wide variety of pumpkins as well as gourds, corn stalks, and Indian corn. During October, come see the ghosts in the trees, the scarecrows in their patch, live turkeys, and run through fun corn maze. You can even take a hayride in the middle of San Francisco. There’s free admission and free parking at both locations. 

San Francisco Botanical Garden

While the color of the leaves in San Francisco will never be confused for Vermont in the fall, that doesn’t mean there isn’t gorgeous fall foliage to be found. San Francisco’s own Botanical Garden is a great place to do some leaf-peeping since their 55-acre garden features plants from around the world. The Garden is one of the most beautiful spots in the city when its Moon View Garden and Temperate Asia Garden begin to turn. Be sure to check out the bright gold Ginko trees and deep purplish-red Dogwoods. The fall peak typically lasts about 2 weeks, often in November. Follow the Garden to see how the leaves are changing on a daily basis. 

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2025

October 3-5, 2025

One of the largest, free-est and beloved music festivals in the country is held annually the first weekend in October. Be one of over 750,000 attendees over the three-day musical extravaganza in beautiful Golden Gate Park.

Fleet Week 2025

October 5-13, 2025

San Francisco’s largest annual civic sponsored event, San Francisco Fleet Week is a series of free, family-friendly events that honor the contributions of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. The highlight of Fleet Week is The U.S. Navy Blue Angels dazzling air show, taking place over three consecutive days. 

Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) around the city

November 1st and 2nd, 2025

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is traditionally celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, and local organizations will honor the holiday with some wonderful cultural events. Look for the Festival of Altars at Potrero Del Sol Park, the 44th annual Day of the Dead Ritual Procession in the Mission District, and a special performance by the San Francisco Symphony. Get details in our full Día de los Muertos guide.

East Bay

Westbrae Pumpkin Patch

North Berkeley | 1272 Gilman Ave, Berkeley | October 1 – 31, 2025 | 9am – 5:30pm

Westbrae Nursery, a worker-owned cooperative, runs its annual Pumpkin Patch from October 1-31, 2025 with 100% of the profits benefiting the local Cornell elementary school. There will be a bake sale on October 18  at the pumpkin patch. They will be selling delicious fall-themed baked goods. One of the few pumpkin patches in Berkeley. – Please note, 2025 opening date is tentative. – Last Updated 9/12/25 

Oaktoberfest in the Dimond

Oakland, Dimond District | This family-friendly event covers two days: Sat., October 4 (11am-7pm) and Sun., October 5 (10am-5pm)

Oakland’s two-day, family-friendly festival celebrates craft beer, music, art, and Oakland in a big way! Spanning over a full weekend of fun, Oaktoberfest offers an impressive Main Stage lineup with four additional stages of music and dance performances, roaming entertainment, hundreds of vendors including an outdoor artisan vendor marketplace, a mouthwatering collection of food vendors, plus inspired local kitchens offering traditional German-inspired cuisine.

Stroll down the Head-Royce School Family Strasse for the Kids’ Play Zone and Parents’ Chill Zone for music, games, and interactive fun!

Autumn Lights Festival Near Lake Merritt

Oakland, Lake Merritt: For three evenings in a row, from October 16 to 18, the Autumn Lights Festival will light up the Gardens at Lake Merritt with imaginative, illuminated sculptural works, and the public is invited to enjoy.

Tickets are on sale now, and are likely to sell out. Kids 5 and under are free. ($28 for adults; $12 for kids 6-17 when purchased in advance; prices go up closer to the date). The event takes place from 6 pm to 11 pm each evening.

Purchase tickets to the Autumn Light Festival here >>

Berkeley Harvest Festival

Berkeley, Cedar Rose Park 1300 Rose St, Berkeley, CA | Sat October 18, 2025   | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm:

Join the City of Berkeley’s annual Harvest Festival for a chance to honor the Fall with live music and kids’ activities and celebrate growing and making food.

There will be live music, a seed swap, food contests, and booths where you can meet City employees from various departments, including 311, Public Works, Aging Services, Mental Health, Police, Fire, Library, and the Rent Board. Don’t miss the Ride Electric event at the Cedar Rose basketball courts where you can check out electric cars and test ride electric bikes and scooters. You can also learn about discounts, rebates, and more from local electric vehicle owners and eBike riders.

The “Kids Zone” will have plenty of activities for children, including a zipline, giant inflatables, scarecrow making, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and carnival games with prizes. Toddlers can enjoy the “Tot’s Zone” with a small jumper, arts and crafts, sandbox, face painting, and more.